FUTURE stars for both the men and women’s games were the centrepiece on the weekend, while a number of memorable wins headlined this week’s Fantastic Five.
Future AFL stars battle it out on MCG
The top Under 18s from across Victoria descended on the MCG for the big Vic Metro and Vic Country clash. Vic Metro won by 26 points, but there was plenty to like about players from both sides. It was no surprise to see probable top 10 picks Sam Walsh and Bailey Smith star on the big stage, while Curtis Taylor and Ned McHenry were able assistants on the day with multiple goals up forward. Connor Idun did a good job on Ben King, while up the other end, James Blanck was impressive in the air and rebounding.
TAC Cup Girls star in VFLW
A record amount of TAC Cup Girls took the field in the Victorian Football League (VFL) Women’s competition on the weekend. The Southern Saints had players from Eastern Ranges and Sandringham Dragons, while the Dandenong Stingrays were represented by both the Saints and Casey Demons. A number of Ranges pulled on the brown and gold for Hawthorn, while Calder had a couple of players pull on the red and black. Carlton, Collingwood, Melbourne University and Western Bulldogs all had TAC Cup Girls represent them in what was a great look into the future.
Southern Saints topple experienced NT Thunder
No-one would have predicted it at the start of the year, but the Southern Saints toppled the experienced and previously unbeaten Northern Territory Thunder at Frankston. The Saints, led by Alison Drennan through the midfield and Kayla Ripari and Lauren Arnell up forward, proved too quick for the Thunder. Shelley Heath, Courtney Jones, Charlotte Wilson, Gabriella De Angelis, Ashleigh Allsopp and Eleanor Brown were among the TAC Cup Girls playing for the Saints, and their talent showed against senior bodies.
Under 16s clash in first round of Division 1 Championships
After the Division 2 sides went at it the week before, it was the Division 1 teams’ turn this weekend. Vic Metro came from behind to defeat Vic Country at Ikon Park, while South Australia had a great win over Western Australia in a thriller. All four sides are set to bring plenty of competitive action to the National Under 16s Championships, which continues on the Gold Coast from July 9.
Bendigo powers to second win
It was a long time between victories, but Bendigo Pioneers celebrated a rare 2018 win when it toppled Gippsland Power at Windy Hill. The top four Power have been ultra-impressive this season, but it was the Pioneers who got the job done in an upset victory, as the likes of Noah Wheeler and Flynn Perez had huge games. Bendigo booted seven goals to two in the second half to run over the top of the Power and claim a vital four points.
Howley hopping up the seaboard to chase dream
LIKE dozens of her peers, this week saw the realisation of a dream for young star Sara Howley, who was drafted to the GWS Giants in Monday night’s AFL Women’s Draft. But, the realisation of that dream has meant having another kind of realisation – a big move away from home. But, the Geelong Falcon […]
Former Oztag Aussie captain chases AFLW dream
STORIES like Brooke Bailey do not come around too often. While cross-coder journeys are nothing new, few have represented – let alone captained – their nation at international level. However for the Sydney Swans train-on and three-time East Coast Eagles premiership player, that is exactly the case. “I grew up playing Oztag since the age […]
Trending the Wright way for Tiger cub
NATIONAL Academy member Claudia Wright has had more than her fair share of setbacks over the last couple of years, missing the entire 2023 WAFLW season, and only playing one AFLW Under 18 Championships match out of a possible six. But through it all, the versatile top-ager has remained a player of interest for AFLW […]
Harrington grateful for “amazing” opportunity
QUEENSLAND AFLW Draft prospect Tara Harrington has not been lost on just how valuable the experiences have been for her over the last couple of years. Speaking to Rookie Me Central at the National Draft Combine, Harrington said despite missing the bulk of the year through injury, still felt connected thanks to assisting with the […]
Q&A: Mackenzie Williams (Tasmania Devils)
BOASTING a powerful kick and great strength, Tasmanian Mackenzie Williams is the standout AFLW Draft prospect from the Apple Isle this year. Williams has long been among the draft talents for 2024, having represented the Devils and Allies for the past three years and really shone as that intercepting and rebounding defender. However in 2024, […]
Pies’ Patterson prepared for next level
ONE of only two father-daughter prospects in this year’s AFL Women’s Draft, Violet Patterson has gone about building a nice CV leading up to next Monday’s night of nights. Tied to Collingwood thanks to her father Stephen’s 96 games in the black and white, Patterson looms as a high upside prospect with a nice balance […]
Q&A: Chloe Gaunt (Brisbane Lions Academy)
A LATE bloomer to the code as well as admittedly getting more serious about her fitness over the off-season, athletic key forward Chloe Gaunt received a AFLW National Draft Combine invite. Bursting with potential as a 182cm utility who can roll into the ruck, the raw key showed glimpses of what she is capable of […]
Q&A: Emma Juneja (Swans Academy)
HARD-RUNNING wing Emma Juneja looms as Sydney Swans Academy’s top Academy draft prospect in the December 16 AFLW Draft, having pieced together a consistent top-age season. She played across multiple competitions for the Academy, Allies and Sydney University, as well as running out for the National Academy. We spoke to Juneja at the AFLW National […]
Determined Rasheed raises own bar
THEY say that you are your own harshest critic, and that could not be more true of young gun India Rasheed. The promising top 10 talent has long caught the eye of fans and recruiters alike, with Rasheed’s snap goal in the 2022 SANFLW Grand Final sending her viral around the footballing community. Considering the […]
